FTC loses case alleging monopoly by Meta

[Meta, from A1]

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META'S buying of Instagram and WhatsApp were the basis of the FTC's claims.

(LORENZO DI COLA NurPhoto)

against Meta, arguing that it should be forced to divest itself of Instagram and the messaging service WhatsApp.

But rather than win greater competition, the antitrust regulators suffered a sound defeat at the hands of a prominent trial judge appointed by President Obama.

“The court's decision today recognizes that Meta faces fierce competition,” Meta spokesperson Christopher Sgro said. “Our products are beneficial for people and businesses and exemplify American innovation and economic growth. We look forward to continuing to partner with the administration and to invest in America.”

The FTC was “deeply disappointed in this decision,” a spokesperson said.

If Meta had lost the case, the company may have had to make significant changes to the way that it operates popular apps such as Instagram and WhatsApp. Meta’s family of apps were used by 3.54 billion people, on average, daily in September, according to the Menlo Park-based company.

Those changes could have meant more reliance on advertising on the apps or charging customers a subscription, some analysts said.